The Hindu : Sport / Football : DPR Korea blanks Iran

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Wednesday, Nov 01, 2006
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DPR Korea blanks Iran

Principal Correspondent

BANGALORE: Fleet-footed and penetrative, DPR Korea dented the aspirations of Iran and scripted a 5-0 victory in its second Group `C' fixture of the AFC Youth Championship football at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Tuesday.

The taller and sturdier Iranians did not know what hit them, and by the 25th minute, the nippy Koreans were 3-0 up.

Showing flair and precision upfront, Chol Min Jong converted half chances twice within 11 minutes from the start as the Iranian defence looked tentative.

In the second minute, Jong headed home a Chol Myong cross from the left, and nine minutes later turned home a feeble left-footer off a square from Pak Chol Min.

With barely any initiative from Iran's midfield, the Koreans darted into the rival half from either flanks, and in the 25th minute, custodian Alireza Haghighi was a mere spectator as the DPR Korea captain and forward Kum Il Kim, bulged the net with a firm shot from close after Jong chipped into the rival box.

Swift counter attack

One expected the spirited Iranians to bounce back. But that too was effectively sealed with a 48th-minute strike. A swift counter attack along the right and Yoing Il Yun centred it for Chol Min Pak to relay into the goalmouth. Jong flicked the ball only to see the ball come off Iranian goalkeeper Haghighi to a well-placed Kum Il who lost no time in tapping it in.

The match got a wee bit physical therafter as Iran showed its frustration. But Korea took the rough tackles and `body play' in its stride before nailing the final strike in the 77th minute. A through ball from Pak and substitute Hung Ryong Ri deftly got the better of defender Hassan Youseffi and dribbled past Haghighi to place the ball home.

DPR Korean coach Tong Sop Jo was mighty pleased and gave his boys full credit. "We watched the Iran match and worked on a way to get past their tall stoppers," Tong said.

Both DPR Korea and Iran have one win and a loss in their two outings thus far.

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